The Opelousas courier., 1887-11-12
MAJOR E. A. BURKE.
A Protest Against Efforts to Divide the
Democratic Party.

Democratic Party
Mr.. Ogden introduced as the next speaker
Major E. A. Burke. The Major, in opening
his Address, said that be was grateful to the
citizens not only iar the invitation to render
an account ofehis stewardship. but also to
speak . them of the u of Bossier
parish.
It has been from no ~indisposition Of his
that he has been pseeyentedSfrom appearing
before the DemocratsSes3 this parish. few
years ago he came on ar industrial mission
with the hope of aiding irr aligning the min
eral bearing parishes of Louisiana with the
great industrial movement in the South,
which is now exciting the interest of the
world. He found that there Is vast wealth
for the people of this State in many of tue
parishes OF North Louisiana, sufficient to
Justify the ereetionpf furnaces, which should
make their people as rich as the people of
Alabama. lam gfatified to see that q rall-
read is being constructed through this
parish, by which the question Of Transports
ton and communication viii soon be solved.
The fuel question is being settled, by which
the forests contiguous to the minerals can be
utilized by the adoption OF the new processes
of charcoal manufacture. He had hoped
soon to join with the people in some pract1csl
| methods for the development of the mineral
Industries OF the parish, but for months past
a campaign has been earned on1n this state
W1tICII dIIllOllhSLb bhO S1=etp ~ +"
| crime. it is ct least no credit to q public man
to engage in efforts to promote the industrial
resources of the State.
Gov. McEnery has built the levees and la
bored to promote the material development
OF Louisiana, and foster and encourage, the
| agricultural and educational interests OF the
| State. No recognition of these services can be
extorted from the latter-day ''rgformers.n
although I hold my commission for nine
years at the hands OF the Democrats OF thus
State. u continued Major Burke, land by the
largest Democratic majority ever cast in the
State, at the election which resulted in the
final redemption Of our people in 1878, and
| after holding Gov. Nichols commission in
1877 and discharglng my duties with beneflt
and credit to him and to the State, when |
passed Red river yesterday into Bossier /
met q CITIZEN who comes to me with honesty
in his face asking, Is it-tfue you were
A RADICAL FRO TExAs7'
and this after fifteen years. service in the
ranks of my party, whose nominee | as III
1872, 1879 and 1878. The compllssion OF
Gov. Nichols, in the most critical period in
the State history, should have been enough
to protect me from such insinuations from
the ~reforrlers. Such charges have become
q part of the political o.atory of the parish
OF Orleans. [ suppose that is one OF the
| means with which they. propose to carry ont
that go-eailed unity and haInloiiy referred to
by their candidate for Governor. The
record of my family, IN Texas dates from
| 1890, and my father is buried within thirty
miles Of where / stand. | entered the Con.
| federate army q private soldier, d hoy of
| nineteen; served without thirty DAYS alb
| sence: discharged MI duty to the satisfaction
OF my commanders, and won my commission
without favor or intlueSea. / have always
voted The Democratic tisFet, and never had
the slightest connection with the itad1ca
parts in Texas or elsewhere. 1t Wouid seem
that the campaign of SANDER and yliiltiea-
| ton inaue1ifated against Gov. mcEnervl Is to
| be extended TO all of his supporters
The character OF the campaign OF the re-
formers was mex explained. When McEnery,f
name was presented it was presented with
| other distinguished son OF Louisiana. His
| friends said: WI believe that he w1llmall-
tain the standard of Democracy and white
supremacy il it Is entrusted IA ms haads. US
and honor him for his services 70 the Con,
| federacy.s re that stood side by side in thai
! great struggle Of 1876 look back upon q 70
| fiticaI armysuch as had neyerbeen
| before. The army of 1876 was composed o.
| all the people who We're resolved to reseus
the State from spoliation and misrule. +
was differed by the noblest. sons OF Louis
lama, organized and equipped and resoiuteo q
purpose. Gen. Nichols was, placed at t1t
| head of this army, which he had not raised,
surrounded by q staff OF veteran patriots
and backed by a Legislature composed OF tn
best men of the State. Although ne deserves
and should receive credit for his discharge O
delicste trusts, it should not be forgotten tia
with those surroundings 1T would nave beeI
almost impossible for him. or any Governor,
20 have gone wrong in the Crisis.
ION the Goth of March, 1877. he de
elarea that his government was firmly estab
flshed. care not what trades or bargain
we're made to establish his government
This State was In great peril, and | have M
Noad of cons emnation against MN loT VII
IA did to secure Il redemption. But WIel
he Selis me as one OF the soldiers IN tina
army that q party policy II 70 be lad cow
contrary to the principles upon Nhicn "
effected the final IedeinIoTloIRR a 81 I e. 49, u